The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-04-19
SWEET CHARITY.
Amateur Entertainment At the Ha-
Waiian Opera House.

The amateur entertainment at the
Hawaiian Opera House last night on be-
half of the funds of the British BenevO-
lent Society was as successful in all its
parts as it was unique. Upon no former
occasion in this city has there been
such perfect harmony of design, such
minute attention to details, and such
symmetrical and graceful execution
Reference is specially made in these re-
marks to the tableauX, which would
have done credit to any city in the
| world The ladies who undertook the
| management of this part of last nights
entertainment deserve all the greater
praise, inasmuch as they were compelled
to depend wholly upon their own invent
i've genius and resources. There was no
costumer at call to furnish the requisite
outfit. and assist by suggestion or per-
sonally to carry out the details of the
various scenes All this was under
taken by the ladies themselves, and last
nights triumph was a deserved reward
for their refined taste and untiring work.
We say work advisedly, because the
rehearsals for the public display were
frequent, conscientious and laborious.
The first part of the entertainment
consisted of five tableaux, which were
admirably presented. No. l, "The
School of the Vestals,' was managed
by Mrs. w. g. Irwin, who posed as
Priestess of Vesta feeding the sacred fire,
surrounded by virgins dedicated to the
service of the goddess. This classic
tableau was loudly applauded. repe-
tition was called for, and to the delight
Of the audience responded to. No. 2,
'King Lear and Cordelia," was gotten
up by Mrs J. H. Wodehouse, and was
very effective and we'll conceived tableau. |
1t was likewise repeated in response to |
an enthusiastic call OF the house. No. |
3, "The Magic Mirror" was under the |
management of Mrs. +. w. Jordan, |
whose "happy thought" in this tableau
was recognized by the delighted audience.
A repetition was promptly called for |
upon the fall of the curtain, and as
promptly complied with. No. 4, "The |
Gypsies's Encampment," was originated
by Mrs. IT r. Walker. It was one of
the most pleasing of the series on ac-
count of it's simplicity. This tableau
was entirely true to nature in conception
and presentation. No. 5, "The Sculptor's
Studio" was the last on the programme,
and if one might be permitted to insti-
tute comparison where there was so
much to praise, it was perhaps the most
successful. 1t was the familiar picture
of the inquisitive countTyman bent upon
scrutinizing the ''female form divine" in
marble, and his" home-spun practical
wife nervously pulling at his coat skirts
to remove him from the seductive infu-
ence of even a heart of stone. The
grouping and pose OF the figures were
perfect. A repeat was demanded and
complied with. Considerable amuse-
ment was caused by the curtain stopping
of feet, which left the lower limbs
of the studio group exposed. This was
only trivial incident however. In all
other respects the stage accessories
worked to a charm. This tableau was
also gotten up by Mrs. VIM. G. Irwin.
The second part of the programme
consisted of the screaming farce, con
His Last Legs" by Bayley Bernard.
From beginning to end the audience
was kept in a continuous roar of laugh
ter The principal character was Felix
O'Callaghan, admirably acted by Mr..
Godfrey Brown. His makeup was very
good, and his Irish brogue would have
done credit to Cork. Mr.. Brown has APP
peared acceptably on many occasions
before a Honolulu audience, but last
evening he eclipsed his previous per-
formances by his subtle rendering of a
character which depends largely upon a
of humor in the actor for
its success. Mr.. Brown received fire.
quent and deserved applause. Mr.. F.
p. Hastings as Charles was all that
could be desired. He caused much
amusement while under the magnetic
powers of Felix. The part of Rivers in
the hands of Harry Won Holt was ex-
ceedingly well sustained. In the make
up detection was impossible until the
familiar voice was heard Whatever
Harry undertakes he does it well, but
he appears to excel in Goldman" parts.
Mrs. Strong took the part of Julia,
and on this occasion as on
all others that she has APP
peared before a Honolulu audience,
gave faithful Interpretation of the char
acter. Her meeting with her supposed
father, whom she had not seen for ten
years, was a charming piece of acting
and carried the audience with her. Miss
King played the part of Mrs. Montague
with considerable ability. The part OF
DIR. Banks fell to Mr.. A. T. Atkinson. 1t
is minor one, but Mr.. Atkinson made
the most of it. Mr.. f. F. Bishop, as
John, did not have much to do, but what
fell to his lot he did we'll.
The farce was well mounted, and as